The Lunar Bound

her grandfather's journal and the small book Jim had given her. The Moonborn-the ancient bloodline that lived among them, cursed to transform into wolf-like creatures-was more complex th

protecting the town for generations. But that protection had been faltering, and with her

ly opened up about their pasts. Lana could sense his reluctance to talk, his past wr

since their conversation at the house, and though she had continued her research, she knew there were things

darken as evening approached. Lana had spent most of the day preparing herself for the unknown. The fear that had gripped her w

worn clothes-dark jeans, a flannel shirt with sleeves rolled up, and sturdy boots. His eyes were guarded, but ther

asked, his voice

o the Moonborn, and a few things she hoped might help them defend themselves if things went south. Silver was mentioned repeate

ent. He turned and led the way into the trees without another word, and Lana followed clo

oved these woods as a child-the sense of adventure, the thrill of discovering hidden corners of nature that no one

pushed herself, focusing on his broad back and the way he moved through the forest as though he belonged there, a

in, and the ground underfoot became uneven, rocky. Aiden slowed his pa

e low. "This is where the Moonborn like

ed. "What do you mea

a connection to the land. They hunt here, they live here. But they never cross th

tance of boundaries in her grandfather's journal-the land was sacred to the Moonborn. It was a

close?" she asked, her voic

grow more tense. "You'll know," he sai

only thing breaking the stillness. Lana's thoughts raced. What exactly were they going to

darting around, her heart pounding. She tried to steady her breathing, but the so

gr

ood ra

her, his face te

oods. Lana, her pulse thumping in her throat, followed as quickly as she could, pushing through the underbrush. She co

h the trees,

ll, its body cloaked in fur that looked blacker than night. Its eyes glowed faintly, reflecting the little light left from the fading sun.

her throat. She had seen this creature before-the same o

f them," he muttered. "A Moonborn. They're called the

sappeared. It was as if the world around her had vanished, leaving only the creature and her. She felt a p

e fog in her mind. "It's trying to manipulate you. They ca

as too late. Her body had already begun to move, her legs ca

r arm, pulling her back into the shadows ju

s if it could scent them both. The hairs on the back of Lana

ng from his jacket. It was silver-a small, gleaming dagger,

hispered, his voi

rward, the silver knife gleaming in his hand. The Moonborn-thi

ough with strain. "If we don't take it down

she was doing, but she couldn't stand by and w

for a brief moment, and he ga

movement, he